temp = dir(datafolder_LAC);

for k = length(temp):-1:1 % this method should work for Mac/Linux/Windows
    if ~temp(k).isdir || temp(k).name(1) == '.' % remove non-folders and hidden folders
        temp(k) = [];
    end
end

countries = {temp.name}';
exclude={};
for j=1:length(exclude)
    countries = countries( ~strcmp( countries,exclude(j) ) );
end

countries={ 'AR', 'CO', 'PA', 'PY', 'VE', 'BO', 'SV', 'CR', 'EC', 'GT', 'NI', 'UY', 'PE', 'CL','BR', 'MX'};

% add names 
Ncountries = length(countries);
country_names = cell( Ncountries,3 );
for j=1:Ncountries
    country_names{j,1} = j;
    country_names{j,2} = char( countries(j) );
    country_names{j,3}  = icc2name( char( countries(j) ) );
end

country_names

